If you're taking the TELC A1 German exam for the first time — whether for a spouse visa, family reunification, or personal achievement — knowing exactly what to expect on the day removes a lot of the stress. Here's a complete walkthrough of the format, section by section.
The TELC A1 Exam Structure
The TELC A1 (officially telc Deutsch A1 or Start Deutsch 1) has two components: a written exam and a speaking exam. Both are usually held on the same day or across two consecutive days.
| Component | Sections | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Written | Reading, Listening, Writing | ~60 minutes |
| Speaking | Short conversation tasks | ~15 minutes |
Written Exam: Section by Section
Lesen (Reading) — 20 marks
Three parts:
- Lesen Teil 1 — Match 5 short notices to 5 people's needs (e.g. which person should read which sign). Multiple choice.
- Lesen Teil 2 — Read 4–5 short texts and answer true/false questions.
- Lesen Teil 3 — Fill in a form using information from a short text.
Time allowed: approximately 25 minutes.
What it tests: understanding everyday notices, simple informational texts, and extracting specific information — names, dates, numbers, addresses. Nothing abstract. Just the basics.
Hören (Listening) — 20 marks
Three parts, audio played once:
- Hören Teil 1 — Short everyday conversations, multiple choice (3 pictures per question).
- Hören Teil 2 — A longer announcement or dialogue, true/false questions.
- Hören Teil 3 — Short phone messages, fill in missing details on a form.
Time allowed: approximately 20 minutes.
Audio is played once only. No replays in the official exam. Use every second of the reading time before each audio segment to preview the questions — this is how you know what to listen for before the recording starts.
Schreiben (Writing) — 10 marks
Two tasks:
- Schreiben Teil 1 — Fill in a form (name, address, date of birth, nationality, etc.).
- Schreiben Teil 2 — Write a short message of 3–4 sentences (an SMS, a postcard, a short note to a friend). You're given specific points to address.
Time allowed: approximately 20 minutes.
At A1, the assessment is about clarity and basic communication — not grammar perfection. As long as your message is understandable and addresses the required points, you're on the right track.
Speaking Exam — What Actually Happens
The speaking exam takes place in pairs or small groups (sometimes individually). Approximately 15 minutes, three short tasks:
- Vorstellen — Introduce yourself: name, where you're from, job, family, hobbies.
- Buchstabieren und Zahlen — Spell a word or give a phone number.
- Bitten und reagieren — Simple request/response exchanges using prompt cards.
What to prepare: learn to introduce yourself fluently without hesitating over every word. Practise spelling out German names and addresses (the alphabet sounds different from English). Prepare for simple requests — Könnten Sie das wiederholen? / Wie bitte? are useful when you don't understand something.
What's Allowed and What Isn't
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Pen/pencil | Mobile phones |
| Eraser | Dictionaries |
| Water (usually) | Electronic devices |
| Watching the clock | Notes from home |
Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring valid photo ID. Candidates who arrive late may not be admitted — this is one of those rules that exam centres actually enforce.
Scoring and Pass Mark
| Section | Total marks | Pass mark (60%) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 20 | 12 |
| Listening | 20 | 12 |
| Writing | 10 | 6 |
| Written total | 50 | 30 |
| Speaking | 20 | 12 |
Both written and speaking components must be passed independently at 60%. A strong written score doesn't compensate for a fail in speaking — they're gated separately.
The Week Before the Exam — What to Actually Do
Days 7–4: Take one complete mock exam under timed conditions. Review every wrong answer. Identify your weakest section. Be honest about what you find.
Days 3–2: Focus specifically on that weak section. Listening problems? Daily listening exercises. Writing issues? Practise the form-filling and short message tasks until the format feels automatic.
Day 1 — the day before: Light review only. Re-read your self-introduction (for speaking). Go to bed at a normal time. Sleep matters more than one extra hour of vocabulary revision — this is not motivational advice, it's just how memory consolidation works.
Exam morning: eat before the exam. Bring water. Arrive early enough to settle in without rushing. The physical setup matters more than most candidates think.
What A1 Actually Requires
A1 is genuinely achievable. The exam tests whether you can handle everyday familiar situations in German — not complex ideas or nuanced expression. With 8–12 weeks of consistent preparation and mock exam practice, the vast majority of candidates pass.